‘Galaxy Quest’ Helmer Dean Parisot Returns With ‘Red 2’

This could be an opportune moment for me to extoll on the dangers of a studio setting the date for a film that doesn’t have its director locked in, but we’d also be talking about Red 2. Perhaps unbeknownst to you and I, the follow-up to 2010’s action hit has been chugging along for the past couple of months without anyone at the helm, despite Jon and Erich Hoeber returning to crank out another script; now, however, it appears as though that problem has been solved

As Variety reports, Dean Parisot — whose been sticking to TV work since 2005’s Fun with Dick and Jane — is in final talks for Red 2, a job that would, in all likelihood, put the likes of Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Mary Louise-Parker under his guidance. If all goes to plan, they’ll be back for a story that follows the “CIA operatives as they use their old-school style to take on a new set of enemies all across Europe.”

Some may feel that his thin resume makes him an odd (even poor) choice for a big studio picture, but we must not forget Galaxy Quest — or, dare I say, one of the best comedies of the ’90s. Heck, that credit alone might make Parisot one of the only things that would generate any interest in a Red follow-up on my part.

Oh, and when it comes to that release date thing, Red 2 might not actually hit on August 2nd of next year; Variety notes that Willis must “work out his schedule” in the meantime. (A schedule that includes A Good Day to Die Hard, which I totally forgot will hit in less than a year. Man, no good can come of that.) But, should they stick to their date, this could a) be a quick shoot, or b) only tighten up the actor’s schedule even more. I’m sure he’ll manage, either way.

Would you be interested in a second Red? Will Parisot directing change your tune in any way?